IT'S a surprise Tomasz Radzinski has turned down a new three-year deal from Everton.

It is what he asked for after the Blues originally offered a two-year contract, but now he seems certain to leave.

You can understand the club's initial caution. When you are considering a longer-term deal for players around the 30 years of age mark, you have to be sure you will get the benefit for the whole length of time.

You don't want to be having to pay them off to get rid of them in their final year, so clubs are now trying to guard against that with shorter deals.

Radzinski has a year left on his existing contract and

David Moyes has previously said he want s to keep hold of the player, even if that meant losing him for nothing in 12 months' time.

However, what Radzinski is reported to have said today may mean there is now no way back for him.

Blues are losing out>

IT'S a frustrating time for Evertonians.

The transfer market is in full swing, but they are not seeing their club being linked with any big names.

Contrast that with the likes of Middlesbrough. They are no bigger than Everton, but have linked with quality players Patrick Kluivert.

The Blues should be doing something similar. The wages would be high, but there would be no transfer fee involved and you would not be taking a chance with someone of the pedigree of Kluivert.

Another avenue the Everton board should explore is getting quality players on loan as Bolton have been doing. They are not standing still and neither are Middlesbrough. Everton should be able to compete with these clubs.

Les miserable?>

I THOUGHT we had seen the last of Les Ferdinand when Leicester City were relegated last season, but now he has joined Bolton.

He has always been a thorn in Everton's side regardless of which team he has played for. He has an uncanny knack of scoring against us.

Sam Allardyce is taking a risk, though. After all, Ferdinand has tasted back-to-back relegation with his last two clubs - Leicester and West Ham.

Ferdinand has been a tremendous striker. He was one of the best headers of a ball from a standing jump I have ever seen.

It would be a very sad way to finish his career if he was to experience relegation for a third time in successive years.